#THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 
____________ 

##ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
____________ 

SECTIONS 

1. Short title. 
2. Interpretation. 

###ACQUISITION OF CITIZENSHIP 

3. Citizenship by birth. 
4. Citizenship by descent. 
5. Citizenship by registration. 
6. Citizenship by naturalization. 
6A. Special provisions as to citizenship of persons covered by the Assam Accord. 
6B. Special provisions as to citizenship of person covered by proviso to clause (b) of sub-section (1) 
  of section 2. 
7. Citizenship by incorporation of territory. 

###OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP 

7A. Registration of Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder. 
7B. Conferment of rights on Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder. 
7C. Renunciation of Overseas Citizen of India Card. 
7D. Cancellation of registration as Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder. 

###TERMINATION OF CITIZENSHIP 

8. Renunciation of citizenship. 
9. Termination of citizenship. 
10. Deprivation of citizenship. 
11. [Omitted.]. 
12. [Omitted.]. 

###SUPPLEMENTAL 

13. Certificate of Citizenship in case of doubt. 
14. Disposal of application under sections 5, 6 and 7A. 
14A. Issue of national identity cards. 
15. Revision. 
15A. Review. 
16. Delegation of powers. 
17. Offences. 
18. Power to make rules. 
19. [Repealed.]. 
[THE FIRST SCHEDULE.] [Omitted.]. 
THE SECOND SCHEDULE. 
THE THIRD SCHEDULE. 
[THE FOURTH SCHEDULE.] [Omitted.]. 



#THE CITIZENSHIP ACT, 1955 

##ACT No. 57 OF 1955

[30th December, 1955.] 

An Act to provide for the acquisition and determination of Indian citizenship. 

  BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:― 

1. **Short title.**―This Act may be called the Citizenship Act, 1955. 

2. **Interpretation.**―(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,― 

  (a) “a Government in India” means the Central Government or a State Government. 

[^2][(b) “illegal migrant” means a foreigner who has entered into India― 

     (i) without a valid passport or other travel documents and such other document or authority as 
may be prescribed by or under any law in that behalf; or 

     (ii) with a valid passport or other travel documents and such other document or authority as 
may be prescribed by or under any law in that behalf but remains therein beyond the permitted 
period of time;] 

[^3][Provided  that  any  person  belonging  to  Hindu,  Sikh,  Buddhist,  Jain,  Parsi  or  Christian 
community  from  Afghanistan,  Bangladesh  or  Pakistan,  who  entered  into  India  on  or  before the 
31st day of December, 2014 and who has been exempted by the Central Government by or under 
clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 (34 of 1920) 
or from the application of the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946  (31 of 1946) or any rule or 
order made there under, shall not be treated as illegal migrant for the purposes of this Act;] 

  (d) “Indian consulate” means the office of any consular officer of the Government of India where 
a register of births is kept, or where there is no such office, such office as may be prescribed; 

  (e) “minor” means a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years; 

[^4][(ee) “Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder” means a person registered as an Overseas Citizen 
of India Cardholder by the Central Government under section 7A;] 

  (f) “person”  does  not  include  any  company  or  association  or  body  of  individuals,  whether 
incorporated or not; 

  (g) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 

  (h) “undivided India” means India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935, as originally 
enacted. 

(2) For  the  purposes  of  this  Act,  a  person  born  aboard  a  registered  ship  or  aircraft,  or  aboard  an 
unregistered ship or aircraft of the government of any country, shall be deemed to have been born in the 
place in which the ship or aircraft was registered or, as the case may be, in that country. 

(3) Any reference in this Act to the status or description of the father of a person at the time of that 
person's birth shall, in relation to a person born after the death of his father, be construed as a reference to 
the  status  or  description  of  the  father  at  the  time  of  the  father's  death;  and  where  that  death  occurred 

[^2]. Subs. by Act 6 of 2004, s. 2, for clauses (b) and (c) (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^3]. Ins. by Act 47 of 2019, s. 2 (w.e.f. 10-1-2020). 
[^4]. Subs. by Act 1 of 2015, s. 2, for clause (ee) (w.e.f. 6-1-2015). 

 
 
before, and the birth occurs after, the commencement of this Act, the status or description which would 
have been applicable to the father had he died after the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to be 
the status or description applicable to him at the time of his death. 

(4) For the purposes of this Act, a person shall be deemed to be of full age if he is not a minor and of 
full capacity if he is not of unsound mind. 

###ACQUISITION OF CITIZENSHIP 

[^1][3. **Citizenship by birth.**―(1) Except as provided in sub-section (2), every person born in India― 

  (a) on or after the 26th day of January, 1950, but before the 1st day of July, 1987; 

  (b) on  or  after  the  1st  day  of  July,  1987,  but  before  the  commencement  of  the  Citizenship 
(Amendment) Act, 2003 (6 of 2004) and either of whose parents is a citizen of India at the time of his 
birth; 

  (c) on  or  after  the  commencement  of  the  Citizenship  (Amendment)  Act,  2003  (6  of  2004), 
where― 

     (i) both of his parents are citizens of India; or 

     (ii) one of whose parents is a citizen of India and the other is not an illegal migrant at the time 
of his birth, 

shall be a citizen of India by birth. 

(2) A person shall not be a citizen of India by virtue of this section if at the time of his birth― 

  (a) either  his  father  or  mother  possesses  such  immunity  from  suits  and  legal  process  as  is 
accorded to an envoy of a foreign sovereign power accredited to the President of India and he or she, 
as the case may be, is not a citizen of India; or 

  (b) his father or mother is an enemy alien and the birth occurs in a place then under occupation by 
the enemy.] 

4. **Citizenship by descent.**―[^2][(1)  A  person  born  outside  India  shall  be  a  citizen  of  India  by 
descent,― 

  (a) on or after the 26th day of January, 1950, but before the 10th day of December, 1992, if his 
father is a citizen of India at the time of his birth; or 

  (b) on or after the 10th day of December, 1992, if either of his parents is a citizen of India at the 
time of his birth: 

Provided that if the father of a person referred to in clause (a) was a citizen of India by descent only, 
that person shall not be a citizen of India by virtue of this section unless― 

  (a) his  birth  is  registered  at  an  Indian  consulate  within  one  year  of  its  occurrence  or  the 
commencement  of  this  Act,  whichever is later,  or,  with  the  permission  of the  Central  Government, 
after the expiry of the said period; or 

  (b) his father is, at the time of his birth, in service under a Government in India: 

  Provided further that if either of the parents of a person referred to in clause (b) was a citizen of India 
by descent only, that person shall not be a citizen of India by virtue of this section, unless― 

  (a) his birth is registered at an Indian consulate within one year of its occurrence or on or after the 
10th day of December, 1992, whichever is later, or, with the permission of the Central Government, 
after the expiry of the said period; or 

  (b) either of his parents is, at the time of his birth, in service under a Government in India: 

[^1]. Subs. by Act 6 of 2004, s. 3, for section 3 (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^2]. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 


 
  Provided  also  that  on  or  after  the  commencement  of  the  Citizenship  (Amendment)  Act,  2003 
(6 of 2004), a person shall not be a citizen of India by virtue of this section, unless his birth is registered at 
an Indian consulate in such form and in such manner, as may be prescribed,― 

  (i) within one year of its occurrence or the commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 
2003(6 of 2004), whichever is later; or 

  (ii) with the permission of the Central Government, after the expiry of the said period: 

  Provided also that no such birth shall be registered unless the parents of such person declare, in such 
form  and  in  such  manner  as  may  be  prescribed,  that  the  minor  does  not  hold  the  passport  of  another 
country. 

(1A) A  minor  who  is  a  citizen  of  India  by  virtue  of  this  section  and  is  also  a  citizen  of  any  other 
country shall cease to be a citizen of India if he does not renounce the citizenship or nationality of another 
country within six months of attaining full age.] 

(2) If the Central Government so directs, a birth shall be deemed for the purposes of this section to 
have been registered with its permission, notwithstanding that its permission was not obtained before the 
registration. 

(3) For the purposes of the proviso to sub-section (1), [^1][any person] born outside undivided India who 
was, or was deemed to be, a citizen of India at the commencement of the Constitution shall be deemed to 
be a citizen of India by descent only. 

5. **Citizenship by registration.**―[^2][(1) Subject to the provisions of this section and such other 
conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed, the Central Government may, on an application made in 
this behalf, register as a citizen of India any person not being an illegal migrant who is not already such 
citizen  by  virtue  of  the  Constitution  or  of  any  other  provision  of  this  Act  if  he  belongs  to  any  of  the 
following categories, namely:― 

  (a) a person of Indian origin who is ordinarily resident in India for seven years before making an 
application for registration; 

  (b) a person of Indian origin who is ordinarily resident in any country or place outside undivided 
India; 

  (c) a  person  who  is  married  to  a  citizen  of  India  and  is  ordinarily  resident  in  India  for  seven 
years before making an application for registration; 

  (d) minor children of persons who are citizens of India; 

  (e) a person  of  full  age  and  capacity  whose  parents  are  registered  as  citizens  of  India  under 
clause (a) of this sub-section or sub-section (1) of section 6; 

  (f) a person  of  full  age  and  capacity  who,  or  either  of  his  parents,  was  earlier  citizen  of 
independent India, and [^3][is ordinarily resident in India for twelve months] immediately before making 
an application for registration; 

  (g) a person of full age and capacity who has been registered as an [^4][Overseas Citizen of India 
Cardholder] for five years, and who [^5][is ordinarily resident in India for twelve months] before making 
an application for registration. 

*Explanation* 1.―For the purposes of clauses (a) and (c), an applicant shall be deemed to be ordinarily 
resident in India if― 

  (i) he has resided in India throughout the period of twelve months immediately before making an 
application for registration; and 

  (ii) he has resided in India during the eight years immediately preceding the said period of twelve 
months for a period of not less than six years. 

[^1]. Subs. by Act 39 of 1992, s. 2, for “any male person”. 
[^2]. Subs. by Act 6 of 2004, s. 5, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^3]. Subs. by Act 1 of 2015, s. 3, for “has been residing in India for one year” (w.e.f. 6-1-2015). 
[^4]. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “Overseas Citizen of India” (w.e.f. 6-1-2015). 
[^5]. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “has been residing in India for one year” (w.e.f. 6-1-2015). 



*Explanation* 2.―For the purposes of this sub-section, a person shall be deemed to be of Indian origin 
if he, or either of his parents, was born in undivided India or in such other territory which became part of 
India after the 15th day of August, 1947.] 

[^1][(1A) The Central Government, if it is satisfied that special circumstances exist, may after recording 
the circumstances in writing, relax the period of twelve months, specified in clauses (f) and (g) and clause 
(i) of Explanation 1 of sub-section (1), up to a maximum of thirty days which may be in different breaks.] 

(2) No person being of full age shall be registered as a citizen of India under sub-section (1) until he 
has taken the oath of allegiance in the form specified in the Second Schedule. 

(3) No  person  who  has  renounced,  or  has  been  deprived  of,  his  Indian  citizenship  or  whose  Indian 
citizenship has terminated, under this Act shall be registered as a citizen of India under sub-section (1) 
except by order of the Central Government. 

(4) The  Central  Government  may,  if  satisfied  that  there  are  special  circumstances  justifying  such 
registration, cause any minor to be registered as a citizen of India. 

(5) A person registered under this section shall be a citizen of India by registration as from the date on 
which  he  is  so  registered;  and  a  person  registered  under  the  provisions  of  clause  (b)(ii)  of  article  6  or 
article  8  of  the  Constitution  shall  be  deemed  to  be  a  citizen  of  India  by  registration  as  from  the 
commencement of the Constitution or the date on which he was so registered, whichever may be later. 

[^2][(6) If the Central Government is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary to grant 
exemption from the residential requirement under clause (c) of sub-section (1) to any person or a class of 
persons, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, grant such exemption.]. 

6. **Citizenship by naturalisation.**―(1)  Where  an  application  is  made  in  the  prescribed  manner  by 
any person of full age and capacity [^3][not  being  an  illegal  migrant]  for  the  grant  of  a  certificate  of 
naturalisation  to  him,  the  Central  Government  may,  if  satisfied  that  the  applicant  is  qualified  for 
naturalisation under the provisions of the Third Schedule, grant to him a certificate of naturalisation: 

  Provided that, if in the opinion of the Central Government, the applicant is a person who has rendered 
distinguished service to the cause of science,  philosophy, art, literature, world peace or human progress 
generally, it may waive all or any of the conditions specified in the Third Schedule. 

(2) The person to whom a certificate of naturalisation is granted under sub-section (1) shall, on taking 
the oath of allegiance in the form specified in the Second Schedule, be a citizen of India by naturalisation 
as from the date on which that certificate is granted. 

[^4][6A. **Special provisions as to citizenship of persons covered by the Assam Accord.**―(1) For the 
purposes of this section― 

  (a) “Assam”  means  the  territories  included  in  the  State  of  Assam  immediately  before  the 
commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985 (65 of 1985); 

  (b) “detected  to  be  a  foreigner”  means  detected  to  be  a  foreigner  in  accordance  with  the 
provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 (31 of 1946) and the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964 by a 
Tribunal constituted under the said Order; 

  (c) “specified  territory”  means  the  territories  included  in  Bangladesh  immediately  before  the 
commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985 (65 of 1985); 

  (d) a  person  shall  be  deemed  to  be  Indian  origin,  if  he,  or  either  of  his  parents  or  any  of  his 
grandparents was born in undivided India; 

[^1]. Ins. by Act 1 of 2015, s. 3 (w.e.f. 6-1-2015). 
[^2]. Ins. by Act 6 of 2004, s. 5 (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^3]. Subs. by s. 6, ibid., for “who is not a citizen of a country specified in the First Schedule” (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^4]. Ins. by Act 65 of 1985, s. 2 (w.e.f. 7-12-1985). 


 
  (e) a  person  shall  be  deemed  to  have  been  detected  to  be  a  foreigner  on  the  date  on  which  a 
Tribunal  constituted  under  the  Foreigners  (Tribunals)  Order,  1964  submits  its  opinion  to  the  effect 
that he is a foreigner to the officer or authority concerned. 

(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (6) and (7), all persons of Indian origin who came before 
the lst day of January, 1966 to Assam from the specified territory (including such of those whose names 
were  included  in  the  electoral  rolls  used  for  the  purposes  of  the  General  Election  to  the  House  of  the 
People held in 1967) and who have been ordinarily resident in Assam since the dates of their entry into 
Assam shall be deemed to be citizens of India as from the lst day of January, 1966. 

(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (6) and (7), every person of Indian origin who― 

(a) came to Assam on or after the lst day of January, 1966 but before the 25th day of March, 1971 

from the specified territory; and 

(b) has, since the date of his entry into Assam, been ordinarily resident in Assam; and 

(c) has been detected to be a foreigner; 

shall register himself in accordance with the rules made by the Central Government in this behalf under 
section 18 with such authority (hereafter in this sub-section referred to as the registering authority) as may 
be  specified  in  such  rules  and  if  his  name  is  included  in  any  electoral  roll  for  any  Assembly  or 
Parliamentary constituency in force on the date of such detection, his name shall be deleted therefrom. 

*Explanation.*―In the case of every person seeking registration under this sub-section, the opinion of 
the  Tribunal  constituted  under  the  Foreigners  (Tribunals)  Order,  1964  holding  such  person  to  be  a 
foreigner, shall be deemed to be sufficient proof of the requirement  under clause (c) of this sub-section 
and if any question arises as to whether such person complies with any other requirement under this sub-
section, the registering authority shall,― 

  (i) if such opinion contains a finding with respect to such other requirement, decide the question 
in conformity with such finding; 

  (ii) if  such  opinion  does not  contain  a finding  with respect to such  other  requirement,  refer  the 
question  to  a  Tribunal  constituted  under  the  said  Order  hang  jurisdiction  in  accordance  with  such 
rules as the Central Government may make in this behalf under section 18 and decide the question in 
conformity with the opinion received on such reference. 

(4) A  person  registered  under  sub-section  (3)  shall  have,  as  from  the  date  on  which  he  has  been 
detected to be a foreigner and till the expiry of a period of ten years from that date, the same rights and 
obligations as a citizen of India (including the right to obtain a passport under the Passports Act, 1967 (15 
of 1967) and the obligations connected therewith), but shall not entitled to have his name included in any 
electoral roll for any Assembly or Parliamentary constituency at any time before the expiry of the said 
period of ten years. 

(5) A person registered under sub-section (3) shall be deemed to be a citizen of India for all purposes 
as from the date of expiry of a period of ten years from the date on which he has been detected to be a 
foreigner. 

(6) Without prejudice to the provisions of section 8― 

  (a) if any person referred to in sub-section (2) submits in the prescribed manner and form and to 
the  prescribed  authority  within  sixty  days  from  the  date  of  commencement  of  the  Citizenship 
(Amendment)  Act,  1985  (65  of  1985),  a  declaration  that  he  does  not  wish  to  be  a  citizen  of  India, 
such person shall not be deemed to have become a citizen of India under that sub-section; 

  (b) if any person referred to in sub-section (3) submits in the prescribed manner and form and to 
the  prescribed  authority  within  sixty  days  from  the  date  of  commencement  of  the  Citizenship 
(Amendment)  Act,  1985(65  of  1985),  or  from  the  date  on  which  he  has  been  detected  to  be  a 
foreigner, whichever is later, a declaration that he does not wish to be governed by the provisions of 
that  sub-section  and  sub-sections  (4)  and  (5),  it  shall  not  be  necessary  for  such  person  to  register 
himself under sub-section (3). 

*Explanation.*―Where a person required to file a declaration under this sub-section does not have the 
capacity  to  enter  into  a  contract,  such  declaration  may  be  filed  on  his  behalf  by  any  person  competent 
under the law for the time being in force to act on his behalf. 

(7) Nothing in sub-sections (2) to (6) shall apply in relation to any person― 

  (a) who, immediately before the commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985 (65 
of 1985), is a citizen of India; 

  (b) who was expelled from India before the commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 
1985, under the Foreigners Act, 1946 (31 of 1946). 

(8) Save  as  otherwise  expressly  provided  in  this  section,  the  provisions  of  this  section  shall  have 
effect notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force.] 

[^1][6B. **Special  provisions  as  to  citizenship  of  person  covered  by  proviso  to  clause  (b)  of  sub-
section (1) of section 2.**—(1) The Central Government or an authority specified by it in this behalf may, 
subject to such conditions, restrictions and manner as may be prescribed, on an application made in this 
behalf,  grant  a  certificate  of  registration  or  certificate  of  naturalisation  to  a  person  referred  to  in  the 
proviso to clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 2. 

(2) Subject  to  fulfillment  of  the  conditions  specified  in  section  5  or  the  qualifications  for 
naturalisation under the provisions of the Third Schedule, a person granted the certificate of registration 
or certificate of naturalisation under sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be a citizen of India from the date 
of his entry into India. 

(3) On  and  from  the  date  of  commencement  of  the  Citizenship  (Amendment)  Act,  2019,  any 
proceeding pending against a person under this section in respect of illegal migration or citizenship shall 
stand abated on conferment of citizenship to him: 

  Provided that such person shall not be disqualified for making application for citizenship under this 
section on the ground that the proceeding is pending against him and the Central Government or authority 
specified  by  it  in  this  behalf  shall  not  reject  his  application  on  that  ground  if  he  is  otherwise  found 
qualified for grant of citizenship under this section: 

  Provided further that the person who makes the application for citizenship under this section shall not 
be deprived of his rights and privileges to which he was entitled on the date of receipt of his application 
on the ground of making such application. 

(4) Nothing  in  this  section  shall  apply  to  tribal  area  of  Assam,  Meghalaya,  Mizoram  or  Tripura  as 
included in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution and the area covered under “The Inner Line” notified 
under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 (Reg. 5 of 1873).] 

7. **Citizenship by incorporation of territory.**―If any territory becomes a part of India, the Central 
Government may, by order notified in the Official Gazette, specify the persons who shall be citizens of 
India by reason of their connection with that territory; and those persons shall be citizens of India as from 
the date to be specified in the order. 

[^2][
###OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP 

[^3][7A. **Registration of Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder.**―(1) The Central Government may, 
subject to such conditions, restrictions and manner as may be prescribed, on an application made in this 
behalf, register as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder― 

  (a) any person of full age and capacity,― 

     (i) who is a citizen of another country, but was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time 
after the commencement of the Constitution; or 

[^1]. Ins. by Act 47 of 2019, s. 3 (w.e.f. 10-1-2020). 
[^2]. Ins. by Act 6 of 2004, s. 7 (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^3]. Subs. by Act 1 of 2015, s. 4, for sections 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D (w.e.f. 6-1-2015). 



     (ii) who is a citizen of another country, but was eligible to become a citizen of India at the 
time of the commencement of the Constitution; or 

     (iii) who is a citizen of another country, but belonged to a territory that became part of India 
after the 15th day of August, 1947; or 

     (iv) who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen; or 

  (b) a person, who is a minor child of a person mentioned in clause (a); or 

  (c) a  person,  who  is  a  minor  child,  and  whose  both  parents  are  citizens  of  India  or  one  of  the 
parents is a citizen of India; or 

  (d) spouse  of  foreign  origin  of  a  citizen  of  India  or  spouse  of  foreign  origin  of  an  Overseas 
Citizen of India Cardholder registered under section 7A and whose marriage has been registered and 
subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of 
the application under this section: 

  Provided  that  for  the  eligibility  for  registration  as  an  Overseas  Citizen  of  India  Cardholder,  such 
spouse shall be subjected to prior security clearance by a competent authority in India: 

  Provided further that no person, who or either of whose parents or grandparents or great grandparents 
is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by 
notification  in  the  Official  Gazette,  specify,  shall  be  eligible  for  registration  as  an  Overseas  Citizen  of 
India Cardholder under this sub-section. 

(2) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify the date from which 
the  existing  persons  of  Indian  Origin  Cardholders  shall  be  deemed  to  be  Overseas  Citizens  of  India 
Cardholders. 

*Explanation.*―For  the  purposes  of  this  sub-section,  “Persons  of  Indian  Origin  Cardholders”  means 
the persons  registered  as  such  under  notification  number  26011/4/98  F.I.,  dated  the  19th  August,  2002, 
issued by the Central Government in this regard. 

(3) Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  sub-section  (1),  the  Central  Government  may,  if  it  is 
satisfied that special circumstances exist, after recording the circumstances in writing, register a person as 
an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder. 

7B. **Conferment  of  rights  on  Overseas  Citizen  of  India  Cardholder.**―(1) Notwithstanding 
anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder 
shall  be  entitled  to  such  rights,  other  than  the  rights  specified  under  sub-section  (2),  as  the  Central 
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf. 

(2) An Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen 
of India― 

  (a) under article 16 of the Constitution with regard to equality of opportunity in matters of public 
employment; 

  (b) under article 58 of the Constitution for election as President; 

  (c) under article 66 of the Constitution for election as Vice-President; 

  (d) under article 124 of the Constitution for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court; 

  (e) under article 217 of the Constitution for appointment as a Judge of the High Court; 

  (f) under  section  16  of  the  Representation  of  the  People  Act,  1950  (43  of  1950)  in  regard  to 
registration as a voter; 

  (g) under sections 3 and 4 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) with regard 
to the eligibility for being a member of the House of the People or of the Council of States, as the 
case may be; 

  (h) under sections 5, 5A and section 6 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) 
with  regard  to  the  eligibility  for  being  a  member  of  the  Legislative  Assembly  or  the  Legislative 
Council, as the case may be, of a State; 

  (i) for appointment to public services and posts in connection with affairs of the Union or of any 
State except for appointment in such services and posts as the Central Government may, by special 
order in that behalf, specify. 

(3) Every notification issued under sub-section (1) shall be laid before each House of Parliament. 

7C. **Renunciation of Overseas Citizen of India Card.**―(1)  If  any  Overseas  Citizen  of  India 
Cardholder  of  full  age  and  capacity  makes  in  prescribed  manner  a  declaration  renouncing  the  Card 
registering  him  as  an  Overseas  Citizen  of  India  Cardholder,  the  declaration  shall  be  registered  by  the 
Central  Government,  and  upon  such  registration,  that  person  shall  cease  to  be  an  Overseas  Citizen  of 
India Cardholder. 

(2) Where a person ceases to be an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder under sub-section (1), the 
spouse of foreign origin of that person, who has obtained Overseas Citizen of India Card under clause (d) 
of sub-section (1) of section 7A, and every minor child of that person registered as an Overseas Citizen of 
India Cardholder shall thereupon cease to be an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder. 

7D. **Cancellation  of  registration  as  Overseas  Citizen  of  India  Cardholder.**―The  Central 
Government  may,  by  order,  cancel  the  registration  granted  under  sub-section  (1)  of  section  7A,  if  it  is 
satisfied that― 

  (a) the registration as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder was obtained by means of fraud, 
false representation or the concealment of any material fact; or 

  (b) the Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder has shown disaffection towards the Constitution, as 
by law established; or 

  (c) the Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder has, during any war in which India may be engaged, 
unlawfully  traded  or  communicated  with  an  enemy  or been  engaged  in,  or  associated  with,  any 
business or commercial activity that was to his knowledge carried on in such manner as to assist an 
enemy in that war; or 

  (d) the  Overseas  Citizen  of  India  Cardholder  has,  within  five  years  after  registration  under 
sub-section (1) of section 7A, been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years; 
or 

[^1][(da) the Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder has violated any of the provisions of this Act or 
provisions of any other law for time being in force as may be specified by the Central Government in 
the notification published in the Official Gazette; or;] 

  (e) it is necessary so to do in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of 
India, friendly relations of India with any foreign country, or in the interests of the general public; or 

  (f) the marriage of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder, who has obtained such Card under 
clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 7A,― 

     (i) has been dissolved by a competent court of law or otherwise; or 

     (ii) has not been dissolved but, during the subsistence of such marriage, he has solemnised 
marriage with any other person.]] 

 [^1][Provided  that  no  order  under  this  section  shall  be  passed  unless  the  Overseas  Citizen  of 
India Cardholder has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.] 

[^1]. Ins. by Act 47 of 2019, s. 4 (w.e.f. 10-1-2020). 



###TERMINATION OF CITIZENSHIP 

8. **Renunciation of citizenship.**―(1) If any citizen of India of full age and capacity, [^1]***, makes in 
the prescribed manner a declaration renouncing his Indian Citizenship, the declaration shall be registered 
by the prescribed authority; and, upon such registration, that person shall cease to be a citizen of India: 

  Provided  that  if  any  such  declaration  is  made  during  any  war  in  which  India  may  be  engaged, 
registration thereof shall be withheld until the Central Government otherwise directs. 

(2) Where [^2][a person] ceases to be a citizen of India under sub-section (1), every minor child of that 
person shall thereupon cease to be a citizen of India: 

  Provided that any such child may, within one year after attaining full age, make a declaration [^3][in the 
prescribed  form  and  manner]  that  he  wishes  to  resume  Indian  citizenship  and  shall  thereupon  again 
become a citizen of India.

9. **Termination of citizenship.**―(1)  Any  citizen  of  India  who  by  naturalisation,  registration 
otherwise voluntarily acquires, or has at any time between the 26th January, 1950 and the commencement 
of this Act, voluntarily acquired, the citizenship of another country shall, upon such acquisition or, as the 
case may be, such commencement, cease to be a citizen of India: 

  Provided  that  nothing  in  this  sub-section  shall  apply  to  a  citizen  of  India  who,  during  any  war  in 
which  India  may  be  engaged,  voluntarily  acquires  the  citizenship  of  another  country,  until  the  Central 
Government otherwise directs. 

(2) If  any  question  arises  as  to  whether,  when  or  how  any [^5][citizen  of  India]   has  acquired  the 
citizenship  of  another  country,  it  shall  be  determined  by  such  authority,  in  such  manner,  and  having 
regard to such rules of evidence, as may be prescribed in this behalf. 

10. **Deprivation of citizenship.**―(1)  A  citizen  of  India  who  is  such  by  naturalisation  or  by  virtue 
only of clause (c) of article 5 of the Constitution or by registration otherwise than under clause (b)(ii) of 
article 6 of the Constitution or clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 5 of this Act, shall cease to be a 
citizen  of  India,  if  he  is  deprived  of  that  citizenship  by  an  order  of  the  Central  Government  under  this 
section. 

(2) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Central Government may, by order, deprive any such 
citizen of Indian citizenship, if it is satisfied that― 

  (a) the  registration  or  certificate  of  naturalisation  was  obtained  by  means  of  fraud,  false 
representation or the concealment of any material fact; or 

  (b) that  citizen  has  shown  himself  by  act  or  speech  to  be  disloyal  or  disaffected  towards  the 
Constitution of India as by law established; or 

  (c) that  citizen  has,  during  any  war  in  which  India  may  be  engaged,  unlawfully  traded  or 
communicated  with an  enemy  or  been  engaged  in,  or  associated  with,  any  business that  was to  his 
knowledge carried on in such manner as to assist an enemy in that war; or 

  (d) that  citizen  has,  within  five  years  after  registration  or  naturalisation,  been  sentenced  in  any 
country to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years; or 

  (e) that citizen has been ordinarily resident out of India for a continuous period of seven years, 
and  during  that  period,  has  neither  been  at  any  time  a  student  of  any  educational  institution  in  a 
country outside India or in the service of a Government in India or of an international organisation of 

[^1]. The words “who is also a citizen or national of another country” omitted by Act 6 of 2004, s. 8 (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^2]. Subs. by Act 39 of 1992, s. 3, for “a male person” (w.e.f. 10-12-1987). 
[^3]. Ins. by Act 6 of 2004, s. 8 (w.e.f. 3-12-2014). 
[^5]. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for “person” (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 



which India is a member, not registered annually in the prescribed manner at an Indian consulate his 
intention to retain his citizenship of India. 

(3) The Central Government shall not deprive a person of citizenship under this section unless it is 
satisfied that it is not conducive to the public good that person should continue to be a citizen of India. 

(4) Before making an order under this section, the Central Government shall give the person against 
whom  the  order  is  proposed  to  be  made  notice  in  writing  informing  him  of  the  ground  on  which  it  is 
proposed  to  be  made  and,  if  the  order  is  proposed  to  be  made  on  any  of  the  grounds  specified  in  sub-
section (2) other than clause (e) thereof, of his right, upon making application therefore in the prescribed 
manner, to have his case referred to a committee of inquiry under this section. 

(5) If the order is proposed to be made against a person on any of the grounds specified in sub-section (2) 
other than  clause  (e)  thereof  and  that  person  so  applies  in  the  prescribed  manner,  the  Central 
Government shall, and in any other case it may, refer the case to a Committee of Inquiry consisting of a 
chairman  (being  a  person who  has  for  at  least  ten  years  held  a judicial  office)  and  two  other  members 
appointed by the Central Government in this behalf. 

(6) The  Committee  of  Inquiry  shall,  on  such reference,  hold  the inquiry  in  such  manner as  may  be 
prescribed and submit its report to the Central Government; and the Central Government shall ordinarily 
be guided by such report in making an order under this section. 

###SUPPLEMENTAL 

11. *[Commonwealth  citizenship.]Omitted  by  Act  The  Citizenship  (Amendment)  Act,* (6  of  2004), 
s. 10 (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 

12. *[Power to confer rights  of  Indian  citizen  or  citizens  of certain  country.]  Omitted  by  s.  10,  ibid. 
(w.e.f.* 3-12-2004). 

13. **Certificate of Citizenship in case of doubt.**―The Central Government may, in such cases as it 
thinks fit, certify that a person with respect to whose citizenship of India a doubt exists, is a citizen of 
India; and a certificate issued under this section shall, unless it is proved that it was obtained by means of 
fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact, be conclusive evidence that person was 
such a citizen on the date thereof, but without prejudice to any evidence that he was such a citizen at an 
earlier date. 

14. **Disposal of application under sections 5, 6 and 7A.**―(1)  The  prescribed  authority  or  the 
Central  Government  may,  in  its  discretion,  grant  or  refuse  an  application  under [^1][sections  5,  6  and 
7A] and shall not be required to assign any reasons for such grant or refusal. 

(2) Subject  to  the  provisions  of  section  l5  the  decision  of  the  prescribed  authority  or  the  Central 
Government on any such application as aforesaid shall be final and shall not be called in question in any 
court. 

[^2][14A.  Issue  of  national  identity  cards.―(1) The  Central  Government  may  compulsorily  register 
every citizen of India and issue national identity card to him. 

(2) The Central Government may maintain a National Register of Indian Citizens and for that purpose 
establish a National Registration Authority. 

(3) On and from the date of commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003 (6 of 2004), 
the Registrar General, India, appointed under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Registration of Births and 
Deaths Act, 1969 (18 of 1969) shall act as the National Registration Authority and he shall function as the 
Registrar General of Citizen Registration. 

(4) The Central Government may appoint such other officers and staff as may be required to assist the 
Registrar General of Citizen Registration in discharging his functions and responsibilities. 

[^1]. Subs. by Act 6 of 2004, s. 11, for “sections 5 and 6” (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^2]. Ins. by s. 12, ibid. (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 


 
(5) The procedure to be followed in compulsory registration of the citizens of India shall be such as 
may be prescribed.] 

15. **Revision.**―(1) Any person aggrieved by an order made under this Act by the prescribed authority 
or any officer or other authority (other than the Central Government) may, within a period of thirty days 
from the date of the order, make an application to the Central Government for a revision of that order: 

  Provided that the Central Government may entertain the application after the expiry of the said period 
of  thirty  days,  if  it  is  satisfied  that  the  applicant  was  prevented  by  sufficient  cause  from  making  the 
application in time. 

(2) On  receipt  of  any  such  application  under  sub-section  (1),  the  Central  Government  shall,  after 
considering the application of the aggrieved person and any report thereon which the officer or authority 
making  the  order  may  submit,  make  such  order  in  relation  to  the  application  as  it  deems  fit,  and  the 
decision of the Central Government shall be final. 

[^1][15A. **Review.**―(1) Any  person  aggrieved  by  an  order  made  by  the  Central  Government,  may, 
within thirty days from the date of such order, make an application for review of such order: 

  Provided that the Central Government may entertain an application after the expiry of the said period 
of  thirty  days,  if  it  is  satisfied  that  the  applicant  was  prevented  by  sufficient  cause  from  making  the 
application in time: 

  Provided  further  that  an  application  for  a  review  of  an  order  passed  in  terms  of  the  provisions  of 
section 14A shall be disposed of in the manner provided for in the procedure as may be laid down under 
clause (ia) of sub-section (2) of section 18. 

(2) On receipt of an application under sub-section (1), the Central Government shall, make such order 
as it deems fit, and the decision of the Central Government on such review shall be final.] 

16. **Delegation of powers.**―The Central Government may, by order, direct that any power which is 
conferred on it by any of the provisions of this Act other than those of section 10 and section 18 shall, in 
such circumstances and under such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the order, be exercisable also 
by such officer or authority as may be so specified. 

17. **Offences.**―Any person who, for the purpose of procuring anything to be done or not to be done 
under  this  Act,  knowingly  makes  any  representation  which  is  false  in  a  material  particular  shall  be 
punishable  with  imprisonment  for  a  term  which  may  extend  to five years, or with  fine  which  may 
extend to fifty thousand rupees, or with both. 

18. **Power to make rules.**―(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette 
make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act. 

(2) In  particular  and  without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  power,  such  rules  may 
provide for― 

  (a) the  registration  of  anything  required  or  authorised  under  this  Act  to  be  registered,  and  the 
conditions and restrictions in regard to such registration; 

[^4][(aa)  the  form  and  manner  in  which  a  declaration  under  sub-section  (1)  of  section  4  shall  be 
made;]; 

  (b) the forms to be used and the registers to be maintained under this Act; 

  (c) the administration and taking of oaths of allegiance under this Act and the time within which 
and the manner in which, such oaths shall be taken and recorded; 

  (d) the giving of any notice required or authorised to be given by any person under this Act; 

[^1]. Ins. by Act 6 of 2004,  s. 13, ibid. (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^4]. Ins. by s. 15, ibid. (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 



  (e) the cancellation of the registration of, and the cancellation and amendment of certificates of 
naturalisation relating to, persons deprived of citizenship under this Act, and the delivering up of such 
certificates for those purposes; 

[^1][(ee) the manner and form in which and the authority to whom declarations referred to in clauses 
(a) and (b) of sub-section (6) of section 6A shall be submitted and other matters connected with such 
declarations;] 

[^2][(eei) the conditions, restrictions and manner for granting certificate of registration or certificate 
of naturalisation under sub-section (1) of section 6B;] 

[^3][(eea) the conditions and the manner subject to which a person may be registered as an Overseas 
Citizen of India Cardholder under sub-section (1) of section 7A; 

  (eeb) the manner of making declaration for renunciation of Overseas Citizen of India Card under 
sub-section (1) of section 7C;] 

  (f) the  registration  at  Indian  consulates  of  the  births  and  deaths  of  persons  of  any  class  or 
description born or dying outside India; 

  (g) the  levy  and  collection  of  fees  in  respect  of  applications,  registrations,  declarations  and 
certificates  under  this  Act,  in  respect  of  the  taking  of  an  oath  of  allegiance,  and  in  respect  of  the 
supply of certified or other copies of documents; 

  (h) the  authority  to  determine  the  question  of  acquisition  of  citizenship  of  another  country,  the 
procedure to be followed by such authority and rules of evidence relating to such cases; 

  (i) the procedure to be followed by the committees of inquiry appointed under section 10 and the 
conferment on such committees of any of the powers, rights and privileges of civil courts; 

[^4][(ia) the procedure to be followed in compulsory registration of the citizens of India under sub-
section (5) of section 14A;] 

  (j) the manner in which applications for revision may be made and the procedure to be followed 
by the Central Government in dealing with such applications; and 

  (k) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed under the Act. 

(3) In making any rule under this section, the Central Government may provide that a breach thereof 
shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees. 

[^5][Provided that any rule made in respect of a matter specified in clause (ia) of sub-section (2) may 
provide that a breach thereof shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three 
months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.] 

[^6][(4) Every rule made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made before each 
House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in 
one  session  or  in  two  or  more  successive  sessions,  and  if,  before  the  expiry  of  session,  immediately 
following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification 
in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only 
in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or 
annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.] 

19. *[Repeals.]  [Rep.  by  the  Repealing  and  Amending  Act,  1960  (58  of  1960),  s.  2  and  the  First 
Schedule.]*

[^1]. Ins. by Act 65 of 1985, s. 3 (w.e.f. 7-12-1985). 
[^2]. Ins. by Act 47 of 2019, s. 5 (w.e.f. 10-1-2020). 
[^3]. Ins. by Act 1 of 2015, s. 5 (w.e.f. 6-1-2015). 
[^4]. Ins. by Act 6 of 2004, s. 15 (w.e.f. 7-12-1985). 
[^5]. The proviso ins. by s. 15, ibid. (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^6]. Subs. by Act 4 of 1986, s. 2 and the Schedule for sub-section (4) (w.e.f. 15-5-1986). 



[THE FIRST SCHEDULE.] [*Omitted by Act the Citizenship (Amendment) Act,* 2003 (6 of 2004), s. 
16 (w.e.f. 3-12-2004).] 



 
[^1][
###THE SECOND SCHEDULE 

[See sections 5(2) and 6(2)] 

###OATH OF ALLEGIANCE 

I,  A.  B.  _________  do  solemnly  affirm  (or  swear)  that  I  will  bear  true  faith  and  allegiance  to  the 
Constitution of India as by law established, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of India and fulfill 
my duties as a citizen of India.] 



[^1]. Subs. by Act 6 of 2004, s. 17, for the Second Schedule (w.e.f. 3-12-2004).  



###THE THIRD SCHEDULE 

*[See* section 6(1)] 

###QUALIFICATIONS FOR NATURALISATION 

The qualifications for naturalisation of a person [^1]*** are― 

  (a) that he is not a subject or citizen of any country where citizens of India are prevented by law 
or practice of that country from becoming subjects or citizens of that country by naturalisation; 

  (b) that, if he is a citizen of any country, [^2]***; 

  (c) that he has either resided in India or been in the service of a Government in India or partly the 
one and partly the other, throughout the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of 
the application; 

[^3][Provided  that  if  the  Central  Government  is  satisfied  that  special  circumstances  exist,  it  may, 
after recording the circumstances in writing, relax the period of twelve months up to a maximum of 
thirty days which may be in different breaks.] 

  (d) that during the [^4][fourteen years] immediately preceding the said period of twelve months, he 
has either resided in India or been in the service of a Government in India, or partly the one and partly 
the other, for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than [^5][eleven years]; 

[^6][Provided  that  for  the  person  belonging  to  Hindu,  Sikh,  Buddhist,  Jain,  Parsi  or  Christian 
community in Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan, the aggregate period of residence or service of 
Government in India as required under this clause shall be read as “not less than five years” in place 
of “not less than eleven years”.] 

  (e) that he is of good character; 

  (f) that  he  has  an  adequate  knowledge  of  a  language  specified  in  the  Eighth  Schedule  to  the 
Constitution; and 

  (g) that in the event of a certificate of naturalisation being granted to him, he intends to reside in 
India, or to enter into, or continue in, service under a Government in India or under an international 
organisation of which India is a member or under a society, company or body of persons established 
in India: 

  Provided that the Central Government may, if in the special circumstances of any particular case it 
thinks fit,― 

     (i) allow a continuous period of twelve months ending not more than six months before the date 
of  the  application  to  be  reckoned,  for  the  purposes  of  clause  (c)  above,  as  if  it  had  immediately 
preceded that date; 

     (ii) allow  periods  of  residence  or  service  earlier  than [^7][fifteen years]  before  the  date  of  the 
application to be reckoned in computing the aggregate mentioned in clause (d) above. 

[^1]. Subs. by Act 6 of 2004, s. 18, for “who is not a citizen of a country specified in the First Schedule” (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^2]. Subs. by s. 18, ibid., for “he has renounced the citizenship of that country in accordance with the law therein in force     in 
that behalf and has notified such renunciation to the Central Government” (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^3]. The proviso ins. by Act 1 of 2015, s. 6 (w.e.f. 6-1-2015). 
[^4]. Subs. by Act 6 of 2004, s. 18, for “twelve years” (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^5]. Subs. by s. 18, ibid., for “nine years” (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 
[^6]. The proviso ins. by Act 47 of 2019, s. 6 (w.e.f. 10-1-2020). 
[^7]. Subs. by Act 6 of 2004, s. 18, for “thirteen years” (w.e.f. 3-12-2004). 



 

[THE FOURTH SCHEDULE.] *Omitted by the Citizenship (Amendment)* Act, 2005 (32 of 2005), s. 5 
(w.e.f. 28-6-2005). 